MAORI DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1927, Page 3

MAORI DISPUTE

AUCKLAND, June 22.

An interesting dispute lias occurred in the Ear North between followers of Rutana and “Government” Maoris. Recently a, farm scheme was put into operation by the Tokcrau Land Board for tlio purpose of assisting the Natives of To Kao to 'become more titan toragers on tho beaches. The land which it was proposed should be used was vested in tlio Tokcrau Land Board.

Matters proceeded smootbily for a time, but there were rumblings from t;he camp of the “Prophet’s” few which indicated that all was not well. A dispute arose over the ownership of the Maori meeting-house at To Kao. Tlio Apostles of Ratnna claimed that they had no interest in the meetinghouse, and they wanted that interest separated for themselves. How to go about dividing the precious house was the problem, hut the Apostles soon found a solution. In spite of warnings from Air AYatt. tho Native Land Board’s ropre.-enlativp at To Kao. and a telegram from the president of Hie Native Land ourt. a band of Ratanaites marched to the meeting-house armed with saws, hammers, and meat axes, and immediately set about cutting off some l ift from tlio building. This they removed in sections to a site of four acres 'bout half a, mile distant, and they proposed to erect a building ol their own. ’I be remaining part of the meeting-lionse was leifc open In all the winds of Heaven.

When the Ratatiaites commenced operations on the building their opponents wanted to prevent them, even though force might be necessary, but the good counsel of All' A\ati deterred them from interfering in any way. Oherwiso there would have been a fight over the building. The part of the building which was removed is now simply lying in sections on the Ratnna site.

The police received a complaint, ol tlm Apostles’ action, with the result 11 1 :iL on .Monday last twelve Hatana Maoris appeared before Mr I. H. |.ovien. S.AL. a. Iloidiera Police four, and were charged with wilt'd damage to property, and an application was made to bind them over to keep the peace. Each was convicted and admitted to probation for twelve mouths, olio of the terms of the probation being that they reinstate the building within two months. On the question of a bond, the Magistrate reserved bis decision.

The Ratnna men are now faced with the humiliation of having to reinstate the building in full view of the mocking eyes of the “Government'' Natives. So convinced were the oflenders that they were on the right track that thev pleaded not guilty to the charge of doing wilful damage to property. ____